Position 3 incumbent Bill Proctor, 66, a retired educator, said he believes his personal and professional experiences bring a unique set of talents to the board in addressing challenges.

Proctor, who has been involved in education for more than 40 years as a counselor, instructor, administrator and researcher, is challenged by Ashley Vann.

Vann, 42, an active PTA member and community volunteer, said planning for the growth of Katy ISD is a top priority for her.

Proctor said, "I want to ensure that KISD can keep up with rapid growth while providing a quality education for the students on all campuses in the district."

Vann said, "I have been a volunteer in our public schools for 12 years and I have a vested interest in the success of Katy ISD.

"As a board member, I want the opportunity to help mold the future of our growing district, give our students and teachers a voice, and make sure our resources are being spent wisely," she said.

Both Vann and Proctor believe the district did not succeed in reaching the public about the necessity of the $99 million bond issue in November.

Vann thinks the bond failed because the community was not involved in the planning process.

"As a community, we need to help shape the future of our district and how our resources will be spent," Vann said.

Proctor believes the district didn't sell the public on the need for a second stadium of 14,000 seats and at such a high cost of $69.5 million.

Vann said the district should have been more inclusive of the community, started the process for the bond earlier and been more sensitive to the high price of the stadium.

Proctor said the administration should have prepared a facilities utilization study of Rhodes Stadium that would have included attendance per game, attendance for marching band contests, the number of times that the stadium was leased and the revenue generated by the leases.

Proctor said priorities, which are under study for a November bond election, should include planning to deal with school crowding and Vann believes it is crucial to reassure residents that the overall quality of the community would be considered.

Vann said it is important to let people know that for their children, their property values and the quality of this community, certain challenges must be met to handle growth.

"In the next decade, it is estimated that the enrollment in Katy ISD will be 90,000 to 100,000 students, with the Grand Parkway being the most significant driver of residential growth in the district," Vann said.

"The most common complaint that I hear from parents of students at every level of education in Katy ISD is overcrowding," Proctor said.

Both candidates say the current administration is doing an effective job in managing the district.

Proctor said he bases his assessment of the administration upon performance reports.

"To that end, the administration is doing a good job," Proctor said.

"If you look at the continued growth and success of the Katy school district, I think it would be difficult to say that they are not effective," Vann said. "People are moving to Katy for the schools, but as a trustee we cannot and should not take that for granted."

Vann said people in leadership are needed that can take the district to the next level.

"We live in Katy, Texas, the best place to raise a family in the world," she said. "Why not expect excellence and become a model of success for the nation."